Strasbourg Museum of Fine Arts
Strasbourg's Museum of Fine Arts traces the history of European painting, from the Italian and Flemish primitives to 1870. It occupies the first floor of the Palais Rohan, right next to the cathedral. Giotto, Memling, Raphael, Rubens, Goya and Courbet are gathered here: a fine lesson in painting in a single visit.
On the first floor of the Palais Rohan
Since 1898 the museum has been housed in the Palais Rohan, the former residence of the prince-bishops built in the 18th century on the Ill, opposite the cathedral. The palace holds three of the city's museums: Fine Arts on the first floor, the Archaeological Museum in the basement and the Museum of Decorative Arts in the state apartments. You can therefore combine several visits without leaving the building.
From the primitives to the Renaissance
The visit opens with the Italian and Flemish primitives, including Giotto and Memling, then continues with the Renaissance and Mannerism: Botticelli, Raphael, Veronese, Lucas van Leyden and El Greco. This chronological journey lets you watch perspective, landscape and the modern portrait emerge. The route echoes the Rhineland collections of the neighbouring Musée de l'Œuvre Notre-Dame, devoted to the Upper Rhine's Middle Ages and Renaissance.
La Belle Strasbourgeoise and her neighbours
The 17th and 18th centuries bring together Rubens, Vouet, Zurbarán, Canaletto, Tiepolo and Goya. The painting locals know best is Largillière's La Belle Strasbourgeoise, a portrait of a woman in local dress with a spectacular headdress. The 19th century closes the route with Delacroix, Chassériau, Corot and Courbet. The rest of the story continues at MAMCS, which takes over from 1870.
Organising your visit
The museum is at 2 Place du Château. Unlike several other city museums, it closes on Tuesdays: on other days it opens from 10 am to 1 pm and 2 pm to 6 pm on weekdays and 10 am to 6 pm at weekends; admission is 9 euros (5 euros reduced). The museums' website notes that the upper galleries have been closed since April 2025. As you leave, the cathedral is just a few steps away.
Practical information
Address: 2 Place du Château
Frequently asked questions
Where is the Museum of Fine Arts?
On the first floor of the Palais Rohan, 2 Place du Château, right next to the cathedral.
Which works can you see?
European painting up to 1870: Giotto, Memling, Botticelli, Raphael, Rubens, Goya, Delacroix, Courbet, and Largillière's La Belle Strasbourgeoise.
Which day is it closed?
Tuesday. Other days: 10 am-1 pm and 2-6 pm on weekdays, 10 am-6 pm at weekends. Full price 9 euros, reduced 5 euros.
What else is in the Palais Rohan?
The Archaeological Museum in the basement and the Museum of Decorative Arts; the Musée de l'Œuvre Notre-Dame is just opposite, on the same square.
Wikimedia Commons — Radek Kucharski · Wikimedia Commons — Ji-Elle
